A man who had thousands of dollars of stolen property hoarded in his living room told Police he had no idea how the booty got there.

On the fourth day of the trial of Arnett Dill on Friday, the jury heard evidence from Police officers who quizzed the 43-year-old Southampton man shortly after his arrest in January.

Dill is charged with five counts of breaking and entering, five counts of receiving stolen goods, two counts of wilful damage and one count of arson, following a mini crime wave last Christmas.

Yesterday Det. Sgt. Edward Davies and Det. Con. Richard Temple Mitchell both recounted how Dill was unable to explain how the vast majority of property came to be in his home on Leacraft Hill Road, where he lives with his father.

Although Dill did explain to officers that some of the items, including television sets, a stereo and a tool box, had been bought at various stores and "the dump'', he remained clueless as to how other goods, including more than $17,000 worth of stolen jewellery and towels taken from Club Med, had come to be in his home.

"I don't know about that type of stuff,'' he said when asked about stolen computer equipment found in his possession.

When questioned about a pair of hand-held radio sets he said: "It's not mine -- I don't know whose they are''.

And when asked to explain the presence of several bags of jewellery stolen from the Trimingham's store he said: "I have never seen them before you showed it to me''.

The prosecution also claims that, while in custody, Dill tried to dispose of a key that opened a safe stolen from the SKB Coating store, one of the properties burgled during the crime spree.

Det. Sgt. Davies explained how he had asked a Westgate Intake Department warden to see all Dill's personal possessions that had been confiscated from him when he was incarcerated shortly after his arrest. Among the items was a key ring holding about a dozen keys, which Det. Sgt. Davies asked to sign out as potential evidence.

But he was then forced to leave the room for a few minutes and, while the prison officer's back was turned, it is alleged Dill picked up the key ring and removed one of the keys from it. The key was later found in the Intake Department office.

Dill's co-defendant, John Jefferis, 22, was given a three year jail term last Friday after pleading guilty to three charges of breaking and entering.

The prosecution has already presented dozens of exhibits to support its case and is expected to produce as many witnesses to identify the stolen goods. The trial continues on Monday.